[SARAH2233]

please can anyone help

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Hi, I'm new here and have a big worry with wierd feelings in my feet. The tops feel like theyve gone to sleep - but they haven't - and feel stiff, very tight, like they've got glue spread all over them. This feeling is spreading up my legs at the front of them, not the backs. It's not painful but it started a few years ago and I thought it was due to osteoarthritis in my back but my GP says it's not as it's in both feet. He sent me for blood tests and they all came back negative - as he said he thought they would. It's like the feeling when you put a face mask on and your face goes all tight. That's how the tops of my feet feel and in bed at night it seems to be all round my ankles and the lower part of the front of my legs as well. It's horrible. I am so worried. When I saw my GP he said it was probably peripheral neuropathy and didn't seem in the least bit worried. At the time I told him that I felt like I was walking on lumps. He nodded and said it sounded like PN. I feel like giving my feet a really good stretch but sometimes that makes this weird feeling worse - that is to say even more tight. I've searched this on google and NO-ONE anywhere has these symptoms. That is why I'm so frightened. Please is there ANYONE on here who also has this? Please write to me if you can help. Thank you, Sarah.

[Dr. Smith]

Hi Sarah,

Welcome. Symptoms of PN can vary quite a bit between individuals. Sometimes I get the feeling you describe on the tops of my feet, but seldom, and not nearly as severe as you describe. OTOH, I can definitely relate & commisserate to the walking on lumps. Mine feel like I have tissues or my socks bunched up between my toes and the balls of my feet.

Have you not been sent to a neurologist for testing/diagnosis for PN? Blood tests for diabetes may not always be the best indicators; folks here will attest that you should probably request a glucose tolerance test to be sure. A neurologist may do that as part of his/her workup.

Fear (stress) will not help anything. It will more likely exacerbate any symptoms you have, whether PN or something else.

Hang in there. You've found a good place with many knowledgable people willing to help you on this journey.

Doc

[dahlek]

Make the appointment tomorrow morning! With a Neuro...takes a while to get set-up w/one unless you've a super GP who can 'expedite things'?
Get copies of all your tests to date "for your records" To share with new neuro consult and expect definitely 'retesting' of those prior docs' tests. Docs don't trust other docs' tests.
Finally? Don't get scared yet? IF the numbness moves up your legs to more? Then let your soon to be seen neuro KNOW? I'll bet you'd be 'fit in, or set into a cancel spot'!
Please feel free to ask ME questions about my own onset, and I'll bet others will contribute constructively as well!
Can I ask? Did you have a bad cold or worse in the last couple of months?
THAT is what 'got' me!
Don't be afraid to ask questions! We've been not quite where YOU are? But pretty close or at times? Beyond!
It can make the 'Twilight Zone'? Look TAME! HUGS & Hope! 's - j

[invisable]

Originally Posted by SARAH2233

please can anyone help

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, I'm new here and have a big worry with wierd feelings in my feet. The tops feel like theyve gone to sleep - but they haven't - and feel stiff, very tight, like they've got glue spread all over them. This feeling is spreading up my legs at the front of them, not the backs. It's not painful but it started a few years ago and I thought it was due to osteoarthritis in my back but my GP says it's not as it's in both feet. He sent me for blood tests and they all came back negative - as he said he thought they would. It's like the feeling when you put a face mask on and your face goes all tight. That's how the tops of my feet feel and in bed at night it seems to be all round my ankles and the lower part of the front of my legs as well. It's horrible. I am so worried. When I saw my GP he said it was probably peripheral neuropathy and didn't seem in the least bit worried. At the time I told him that I felt like I was walking on lumps. He nodded and said it sounded like PN. I feel like giving my feet a really good stretch but sometimes that makes this weird feeling worse - that is to say even more tight. I've searched this on google and NO-ONE anywhere has these symptoms. That is why I'm so frightened. Please is there ANYONE on here who also has this? Please write to me if you can help. Thank you, Sarah.

they are misunderstood by anyone (including Dr's) that have never actually felt them in their own body. Neruo sensations are not like "regular" pain, it is a frieghtening experience, I have been in the scared mode for almost 2 years. I am just coming down from it now.

You will find that no two people describe all of their sensations the same. But, I will say the walking on lumps part I have heard before in PN. As others have said, you need to rule out other things though, by going to a good neurologist, he/she will give you a lot of tests.

Try to get through each day, one at a time......even one moment at a time.

Stay on this site, we understand.......as I am writing this, my feet feel like a sparkler is hitting them......so please believe, we understand.

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Have you been to a good podiatrist who can rule out mechanical issues with your feet, neuromas, sesamoiditis, pronation issues?

What kind of footwear do you use? Tie shoes? Pressure on the instep from tie shoes can be avoided with an alternate lacing strategy:

https://www.northcoastfootcare.com/p...echniques.html

The site above is just excellent, so read up over there.
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/

The foot is very complex and compression can happen there.
Tendonitis, arthritis, too.

[SARAH2233]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I am going to see my GP this afternoon. I am positive it has anothing to do with my footwear. A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis - quite bad - and round about that time I felt as though I was walking on cardboard lumps. But I put it down to my back condition. But when that walking on cardboard lumps got worse and the tops of my feet started to feel stiff and tight I mentioned it to my GP who said it was probably PN as my circuation was 0k and it was definately not my back as it was in both feet. That was 3 weeks ago and what is frightening me is the feeling of tightness/covered in glue/ fat numb toes is creeping up my shins. It's there in my feet still - I seem to have a numb patch at the back of my two littlest toes on the ball of my foot -but that tight numb feeling seems to have gone quickly from around my ankles to up my shins. I feel it mainly at the front. I'm scared that it will spread all over my body until I cant feel anything at all. God I am so scared. I will tell you what my GP says this afternoon.

[snookie12303]

i'm finding that my symptoms are worse when i am tired. i am finally seeing the local neurologist tomorrow instead of next week. they called to see if i could come in because they had a cancellation. i'll be there bright and early. hope he can make sense of all these weird problems. i'll let you know what happens.

[dahlek]

Best thing to do now? Is keep a diary of where the numbness/pain ends up the legs or arms. Trust me, this 'measurement' can be either fast or slow.. IF fast? You mite have to go to an ER and then? You could be stuck w/the neuro on call...that's what happened to me and I got one of those docs with the 'attitude' that it's 'just PN'! As it got above my elbows and almost to my torso..? I went and got a second opinion...that saved my life I firmly believe!
So? Don't get and stay scared like a rabbit? RUN like a rabbit to learn as much as possible and find one of the better neuros to give you that critical 'once over', plus critical tests that get you diagnosed and treated in the end...if possible. Good luck and DON'T PANIC! It's ironic, but fear='stress'? Can make it worse. Learn relaxation therapies and find one either mental or physical that helps you calm yourself... until you KNOW what devil you are dealing with.
Hugs and hope and don't give up!!!!!!! 'S - J

[zorro1]

Originally Posted by SARAH2233

Thanks to everyone that replied. I am going to see my GP this afternoon. I am positive it has anothing to do with my footwear. A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis - quite bad - and round about that time I felt as though I was walking on cardboard lumps. But I put it down to my back condition. But when that walking on cardboard lumps got worse and the tops of my feet started to feel stiff and tight I mentioned it to my GP who said it was probably PN as my circuation was 0k and it was definately not my back as it was in both feet. That was 3 weeks ago and what is frightening me is the feeling of tightness/covered in glue/ fat numb toes is creeping up my shins. It's there in my feet still - I seem to have a numb patch at the back of my two littlest toes on the ball of my foot -but that tight numb feeling seems to have gone quickly from around my ankles to up my shins. I feel it mainly at the front. I'm scared that it will spread all over my body until I cant feel anything at all. God I am so scared. I will tell you what my GP says this afternoon.

Hi Sarah, sorry to hear but you know apparently many millions world wide have it, hard to believe as even after a few years now, sometimes feel like Im the only one. Thats why this forum is a good place to be it truly helps with stress and great info as well.

"it was definately not my back as it was in both feet".

May i ask how you came to this conclusion?

cheers, chin up..

[Steven N]

Welcome, Sarah.
I guess misery really does love company, because sharing with each other helps us all. Your symptoms, while individual to you, are not that different from things the rest of us experience or have experienced.
Hearing arthritis and nerve problems in the same sentence makes me think gluten intolerance may be causal, or at least making things worse. It's another avenue to research.
I don't know how old you are, or for how long you've been developing issues; probably longer than you may realize. Most of us are of the opinion that things really can get better; but it's going to take time. You probably didn't develop these problems quickly, so there's no reason to expect a quick solution.
Patience is very difficult when you're in pain, and when you're frightened. You do have a great community of support here. And there are truly knowledgeable members. Mrs. D. Glenntaj, and many other senior members can really help you in knowing what questions to ask your doctor.
Good luck,
Steven